WE all buy frozen food and pop it in the freezer without checking the best before date.
So what happens if when we unearth it, the date has expired?
Can you eat frozen food after the best before date?
The simple answer is yes with frozen foods being safe to eat indefinitely; however, there are a few things to remember.
If the best before date has expired, then you should not freeze your food in the hopes it will keep the shelf life longer.
If cooking your own food, it's best to put a date on it before freezing.
Food Standards Agency explains: “Freezing acts as a 'pause' button on food. If you freeze food correctly, it won’t deteriorate or spoil as bacteria cannot grow on frozen food.
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“However, the longer the food is frozen, the more likely that the texture will be affected. This will not affect safety.
“However, once defrosted, the pause button is off.”
Defrosted food will need to be consumed within 24 hours ensuring the food is steaming hot before serving.
How long are frozen foods good for after the expiration date?
Determining the quality and safety of frozen foods after their expiration date will largely depend on what type of frozen food product it is.
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Fish, for example, is still good after its expiration date and can be kept between six to nine months if frozen.
Raw chicken or turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to a year and ground beef frozen is okay for a few months.
Frozen fruit and frozen vegetables that is unopened from its packages are good for eight to 10 months beyond their expiration date.
How to tell if your frozen food has gone off?
It’s important to adhere to the guidelines regarding freezing food and only store the food continuously at 0 °F or below.
If the freezing temperature guidelines are not met or the product was frozen after its expiration date, there may be a few signs indicating your frozen food has gone off.
According to The Kitchen, the seven signs your frozen food has gone bad include:
- Ice crystals are visible inside the packaging
- The protein has changed colour
- The vegetables look very dull in colour
- You are unaware of when exactly you put something in there
- There's evidence of spills
- A rancid or off odour is present
- The defrosted food is sticky or slimy.
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